My battery died at the drive in...

[adamc11]

I'm having a bit of a bitch now, here i go.

I went to a drive in movie tonight and my battery died. I put my bonnet up and got my jumper leads out hoping someone would come and see me and come and offer a jump (in the past i've offered assistance to others). Anyway, no one came over to help so i started asking people. The first person i asked couldn't speak english (well said they couldn't, but were watching an english movie). The second person said they would and whilst i waited for them i saw them drove off. The third person gave the excuse that his VW (brand new golf) couldn't jump start a car because it would stuff up his cars computer and that he would have to call VW if that happened. On my fourth attempt i got lucky and someone came to the rescue!

Now, i find it pretty piss poor that 3 people couldn't spare 2 minutes to help me out. I also don't believe the guy with the VW... how could hooking his battery up to my battery 'stuff up' his cars computer?

I bet if this happened in the country people would help, city folk are to friggin selfish.

/end rant

Adam

[ashbox]

i'd be peaking to, unfortunately its the way the world is starting to go.
Not many people willing to help out with small stuff like that

[Thomas1]

If I was in my VS then I'd have to say no, but only because the battery is in the boot in a sealed box lol. But if I was in any other car I'd happily give someone a jump start. You just never know when it will be you who needs a helping hand, and I sure as hell hope someone would offer to help without me having to even ask!

I grew up in a country town, so stopping to help someone is the normal thing to do. However now that I live in the 'big smoke' I've noticed people up here tend to look the other way and keep on going. Pretty unsocial society we've become....

[FstStig]

Hooking up another cars battery to yours if it wasn't a commodore then there is a chance of frying the other cars computers. Not saying IT WILL HAPPEN, but there is a possibility. However the first 2 people were just plain lazy bastards who could of at least helped you out.

[ethann]

As long as the newer cars turned off it should be right.
But sometimes its easy to use there alt to boost your battery a tad.

[acarmody]

There IS a chance on frying a computer when jump starting, small but still there. Less chance if you have a set of surge proof cables.

I am always willing to help someone jump start their car. I just disconnect my battery first so that their is no chance of frying my computer. My D34 can crank a starter motor for about 5 minutes so I'm cool with helping.

[S.T.K.E]

I have heard that many of the newer cars are unable to do a jump start like that because of the computers.

[STEALTHY™]

I'm a member of my local roadside assistance. Call outs are free. Maybe try that

[Darren_L]

I have heard that many of the newer cars are unable to do a jump start like that because of the computers.

they can, it's just a precautionary warning given by manufacturers on the off chance that a 'spike' occurs.

The 'spike' can occur if the jump start leads are removed too quickly after the car starts - although it usually happens on the car with the flat battery., What can happen (particularly on a dead flat battery) is once the leads are removed, the regulator senses a sudden voltage drop so it will tend to peak for a fraction of a second. This peak can jump the system voltage beyond normal operating voltages which can then fry electrical components including ECU's.

However, the easiest way around this is either use a set of anti-spike jumper leads or leave the jump started engine running for a few minutes before disconnecting leads. That way the system voltage has a chance to build up before the leads are removed.

[flyjoe180]

The VE owner's handbook goes through normal jump starting procedures, and the only protection noted is the turning on of headlamps, rear demister, air con and audio system to help protect the electrical systems, and leaving the two cars connected and running for 4 minutes after the start. Wouldn't a lead with spike protection would be okay to use between two cars with computers? Mr VW must have been very new to his car.

[VKCOMMO]

This is a bit like that homeless man that was stabbed in america, he was lying in a pool of blood and people just walked past, one guy rolled him over, looked at him and rolled him back and left.. I'd never do that..

[STEALTHY™]

Mr VW must have been very new to his car.

More likely it was an excuse to not have to deal with someone who couldn't be bothered getting roadside assist.

I've helped people in the past, but if they look like ex cons, i wouldn't be helping them.

[Stressball]

More likely it was an excuse to not have to deal with someone who couldn't be bothered getting roadside assist.

Yeah coz, it's a much better option not to ask someome for 3 minutes of their time and instead wait 45 minutes for RACQ/RACV/whoever else to come out and jump it for you... I know it's not a 'requirement' that people have to give you a jump if your battery is dead, but there's no harm in trying. The decent thing to do would be to help them if you've got a couple of minutes to spare.

[STEALTHY™]

Yeah coz, it's a much better option not to ask someome for 3 minutes of their time and instead wait 45 minutes for RACQ/RACV/whoever else to come out and jump it for you... I know it's not a 'requirement' that people have to give you a jump if your battery is dead, but there's no harm in trying. The decent thing to do would be to help them if you've got a couple of minutes to spare.

Key point there Maybe the people he asked didn't have 3 minutes to spare.

[Stressball]

More likely it was an excuse to not have to deal with someone who couldn't be bothered getting roadside assist.

Key point there Maybe the people he asked didn't have 3 minutes to spare.

Maybe so, but no harm in asking around. Also, if that were the case, your first point would be invalid anyway.

[vn_v6]

me and my father, driving back from king lake, see a guy on a moped, 60km away from mebourne, stuggling at walking pace, with a flat tyre, were in a 6 tonne flatbed truck, empty, just pallets on the back, we stopped, put the effort of putting the moped on the back, (trucks bloody high), and gave him a lift to flinders station, we woudve taken him home but he refused, cost us like 10 buks extra diesel, not even, if anything, just knowing you helped someone greatly was enough, he offered us money, and buy us a pizza, we refused lol, imagine if everyone was willing to help, and willing to sacrifice a bit of time for someone, less road rage, life wuld be shitload easeir, but hey, it is the public were talking about, need i say more?

[ClairBear]

People's apparent apathy is because most of us are aware of the increase in crime and are wary of being caught out in a trap. Someone who appears to have broken down flags you to stop, next thing you are being held up and robbed. You can't trust anyone these days and duty of care to yourself kicks in over helping a genuine person in need.

[alpine-wolf]

When someone asks me to jump start their car I flat out refuse because I did have my previous car's computer "killed" when jumping another car, a very expensive problem to fix, as I was unable to find a secondhand compatible one I had to take it to get repaired at $1500!! Also having the car off the road for over a week was a bit of a problem too. I know that its pretty c**p from the point of view of the person asking for the jump, but from my point of view I don't want the expense and hassle of a dead computer!!! I have actually been thinking of getting a portable jump unit lately as they seem to be getting cheaper!!

[Stressball]

People's apparent apathy is because most of us are aware of the increase in crime and are wary of being caught out in a trap. Someone who appears to have broken down flags you to stop, next thing you are being held up and robbed. You can't trust anyone these days and duty of care to yourself kicks in over helping a genuine person in need.

Fair enough, but in the OP's case, he was at a drive in movie, with what sounds like no shortage of cars or people around. They weren't asked to stop to start his car and continue on their way, they weren't moving in the first place. Not quite the same situation, but I definitely agree with your point in the more frequent situation.

[STEALTHY™]

Maybe so, but no harm in asking around. Also, if that were the case, your first point would be invalid anyway.

Either point would work. Didn't have time, couldn't be bothered, guy looked dodgy. Or all of the above.


Dont take me as a heartless bastard tho, recently stopped and changed a tyre for an elderly bloke who was clearly struggling with the shitty holden scissor jack (i carry a trolley jack and wheel brace).
Even gave him a bottle of water i had just bought (since it was almost 40 degrees).

He offered me $20 for stopping, but i didn't take it.

That doesn't mean i'll stop for anyone and everyone. Just so happens on that day i was just driving home and in no hurry to get there.

[STEALTHY™]

Fair enough, but in the OP's case, he was at a drive in movie, with what sounds like no shortage of cars or people around. They weren't asked to stop to start his car and continue on their way, they weren't moving in the first place. Not quite the same situation, but I definitely agree with your point in the more frequent situation.

I know for me, after sitting in a car for 3 hours, when its done i just want to go home, not sit for 10 minutes and jump start cars.

[crazyspoon05]

Don't most drive-in's have the battery cart thing to jump start people's cars anyway ? (at least the one I go to every so often does)

I had to get a jump start at the airport longterm parking once, paid the 'fee' and the deposit and the battery pack wouldn't fire my car up (just not enough power)

Fortunately a couple came back to their car in the next row and his car wouldn't start so we used the battery pack on his car and he then jump started mine

[acex1138]

People's apparent apathy is because most of us are aware of the increase in crime and are wary of being caught out in a trap. Someone who appears to have broken down flags you to stop, next thing you are being held up and robbed. You can't trust anyone these days and duty of care to yourself kicks in over helping a genuine person in need.

fair point, but theres being in a position to help someone. i've played football, i've worked in nightclubs, i'd be serving with army at the moment if it wasnt for a few injuries. someone flagging me down on the road I can deduce pretty quickly their character and can bail or handle myself if that kind of thing is up.

most other people can, I dont blame a girl or anyone else for not doing it for safety reasons like the person seeming dodgey or a junkie or just things not looking right but anyone able bodied and able to be safe in a situation, its just the right thing to do to help someone out. pay it forward it will come back to you some day.

on way back from sydi had a prick trucker run me off the road, got my muffler ripped out out had my car limping to the next town, had to presuade a nice guy running a servo to let me use the garage and tools to fix it. i'd gladly help out anyone any day, it all comes back.

[nathanVY]

At least it didn't die in the drive THROUGH like my handbrake did.


You'd think people would help out, makes a whole load of NO difference to them.

[gopher]

i normally carry a portable jumpstarter around that i use on my boat to run a esky fridge.
if i have that with me i'll give them a jump if not i tell them to go jump because i never jump start someone using my car